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StumblePrep football:
Gorman, Palo Verde take top spots in Sun’s preseason football rankings
Bishop Gorman High running back Shaquille Powell looks for running room during the Sunset Regional title game last fall. He’s one of several key returners.
Monday, June 28, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Previewing the new football season
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Las Vegas Sun reporters Case Keefer and Ray Brewer discuss the upcoming high school football season. They will let you know whether or not anyone can dethrone defending state champion Bishop Gorman, release their state title sleepers teams and give a quick breakdown of the area's 30-plus schools.
Expanded coverage
Here's how good the Bishop Gorman High football team is expected to be in the fall: You could put the top players from each of the Las Vegas Valley's 30-plus large-school division teams on the same squad, and they'd still lose to the defending state champion Gaels by three touchdowns.
Yes, Gorman is that loaded.
Despite having to replace eight from last year's team who received Division-I scholarships, Gorman isn't lacking talent and is the clear-cut favorite to win the state title.
The Gaels, ranked No. 23 nationally by Maxpreps.com in its preseason poll, are an obvious choice for the top-spot in the Sun's preseason ranking.
The other nine teams weren't as obvious.
The Sun's Ray Brewer, who has been covering high school football in Nevada since 1996, ranked the teams. He'll update the rankings each week during the season, which starts in late August.
1. Gorman — Defensive end Jalen Grimble, who in May committed to USC, will lead a Gorman defense that again will overwhelm the opposition. But he's far from the Gaels' only weapon. Offensively, coach Tony Sanchez says the Gaels already are ahead of where they were last year when they led the nation with 798 points. Gorman returns four of five starting offensive linemen, which means junior tailback Shaquille Powell (1,500 yards and 29 touchdowns last year) is an early candidate to lead the area in rushing. Also, sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon widely is considered the city's top passer.
Palo Verde junior Brandon Wright (4) has scholarship offers from UNLV and Colorado. He is also receiving interest from the likes of UCLA, Cal and Oregon State.
2. Palo Verde — Palo Verde will have the best player on the field each Friday night with senior running back Brandon Wright, a speedster with several major Division I scholarship offers who rushed for 1,181 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall.
3. Liberty — Some might argue this slot is too high for Liberty, a school with only one winning season in its seven-year history. But the Patriots will physically dominate on Friday nights, especially with one of the biggest offensive lines in town. Defensive end Sam Tai, who already had scholarship offers from the likes of UNLV, San Diego State and Idaho, received an offer from Colorado last week.
4. Las Vegas High — A shocking loss to Foothill in last year's Sunrise quarterfinals halted the Wildcats' streak of six straight Sunrise Regional crowns. Despite the setback, LVHS still is the most feared team in the region. It also has three of the valley's best athletes in wide receiver Marquan Major, quarterback Hassan Henderson and running back Farrell Victor. Still, Las Vegas might be one year away from winning the state title — Henderson and Victor are both juniors.
5. Legacy — Legacy has to replace several key performers from last year's Northwest Division championship team. But in a program with several talented athletes, the Longhorns will find themselves in the thick of the league race again. Legacy's defense surrendered fewer than 10 points in eight games last year — it'll duplicate the effort this fall.
6. Silverado — Silverado has been predictable on offense the last two years in failing to reach the playoffs. But with new coordinator Randall Cunningham (the former NFL and UNLV great) calling plays, the 'Hawks appear to be headed in the right direction. Speedy defensive back Ladale Jackson already has multiple scholarship offers.
7. Canyon Springs — Canyon Springs arguably has the most young talent in Southern Nevada, returning several underclassmen from last year's squad that went 7-3 and took second in the Northeast Division. Don't be surprised if coach Hunkie Cooper has the Pioneers atop the league standings.
Del Sol quarterback Troy Miller is chased down by Basic's Jared Darnell (left) and Quinn Richardson during the Sunrise Regional title game last fall. Miller helped the Dragons rally for a 21-19 win.
8. Del Sol — Del Sol will have to replace several key contributors from last year's team, which won the Sunrise Regional title. But it has one of the valley's top quarterbacks in senior Troy Miller, and junior tailback Chris Marshall already has a year of experience under his belt.
9. Durango — Don't let his size fool you. Julio Mora, the Trailblazers' 5-foot-7, 170-pound tailback, is a difference-maker and one of the valley's best running backs. He'll lead Durango to a second-place finish in the Southwest Division (behind Gorman).
10. Faith Lutheran — The Crusaders will have the area's most lethal passing game with quarterback Joe Portaro and wide receiver Don Pearson. But will that be enough to compensate for a lack of depth, especially on the line?
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Perhaps you are right and maybe you are totally incorrect in you assessment Ray ,Case and point the senior all star game held at Gorman last month was a freaking laugh-er .The host squad had a majority of Gorman players and all of Gormans coaches and home-field advantage and got their asses handed to them .Yes The Private school is a good program with some advantages the public schools lack but they are not the best in the country.Just the best in Nevada for now. I support all the Las Vegas H.S. and Gorman represents our city well keep up the good work Gorman but be realistic the playing field is still not fair. I assure you Ray that an all-star team put together here will not be abused the way you are implying,a 3 TD advantage you need to do your homework .
Gorman is a very good program and I am proud of them but I am offended by you Ray. here's some food for thought.Max preps ranked Gormans undefeated team of 09/10 @ 106th but for example Klein Texas team with a record of 11-4 was ranked 109th,but the most important rank is the strength of schedule .Klein has double the points in their strength of schedule than does Gorman.No you are totally off base with your fairytale assessment that Gorman would beat an All Vegas all star football team by 3 TD's. I bet coach Sanchez would agree that it would not be the case.If I were you I would re edit your article to say that it would be a fair game that either team could win.
Hey Ray you want to hear something funny? I watched Gorman get their asses handed to them in basketball a season or so ago by Findlay Prep.I am not sure of the deficit but a cool 25 points or more comes to mind.They won the state but got busted up by Findlay so were they the best in the state or just the best to beat up on public programs ? huuuuuuuum.
I would like to give KUDOS to the Gorman program and all of the other Las Vegas teams who work so hard to get the job done and bring recognition to Vegas in their pursuit of higher learning through sports and academics.You coaches,parents,teachers all of you who make America the greatest country ever.Keep your heads up fight to the finish in leave it on the field of play .Have a great football season Vegas.Keep developing great talent whatever you call your home.So many kids are being recognized from several various programs and are not even mentioned in the media what a shame.Make your families proud and be great citizens as well strive for college no matter what.Just because some person believes your competition is far superior than any of you, is a reason to prove him wrong.
Here we go Liberty!!
Once again... Basic is not picked as a top 10. I guess they'll have to show Brewer for the third year in a row that they are not a team that lacks discipline nor heart, As you can tell by last year. I guess the semi-finals were not good enough for you. ;) Are goals are set higher this time.
del sol number 8? this is completly disrespectful ray. Your putting the accomplishments of last years teams top rank them in the top 10? i cant believe this. PEOPLE if u want to see the real top 10 list go to nevadaprereport.com thanks
nevadaprepreport.com*
B_Real: It's going to be tougher than you think replacing Weinstock and Reed. Troy Miller is one of the best quarterbacks in town, but I'm not sure who he will pass to. That means other teams will load up trying to stop the run. So, I think No. 8 is a good slot for Del Sol. ...Hopefully they prove me wrong. :)
ray come one now you have doubted del sol for the past four years and they have been to the sunrise championship every year and the state championship last year.and most of the people on that team were juniors so they are returning many people. you must not have gone to the football camps where you can actually see the teams that strap it up and hit . everyone looks good now in shorts and a tshirt but your forget del sols coaches have made very good football teams in the past what makes you think its any different this year. once again you will be proven wrong like usual. thanks for hating budd
I know it will be tough replacing to of the best players in town but think. 2 years ago you said they wouldnt be able to replace Derek Eamon. 3 years ago they werent supposed to be able to replace that O line with Otto Hansell and Pat Mendes. Before that it was T.J. So they"ve continued to prove you wrong i dont think this year would be any different. ha
wow yurr really just a no one
but just cause yuhh didnt put basic on there they shuld be #5 or 4 silverado idk why they are even on there and liberty is defaintly to high but liberty basic and del sol are the only good teams in thier divison and basic is the best and silverado should not be on that list and basic plays almost every team on that list this year so we will see
this just makes us work harder ray so keep goiin at it good job
and who the heck is faith luthern?
and i really hate how teams likk del sol and basic keep proving yuhh wrong and out of no where a team likk liberty just gets on the list and really hasent done much liberty is a very good program but yuhh do not give basic or del sol any respect and they have always proved yuhh wrong
WOW??? faith lutheran ranked??? they might have two players but they have no offensive line. there are at least 3 other northwest teams that will finish ahead of them (Arbor View, Cimmaron and cheyenne)
so Ray, what do you think of Arbor view this season?
so Ray, what do you think of Cheyenne this season?
Wolfpack22 is right.. This just gives basic more reason to work harder and prove you wrong.. and we will
ray ray ray....
Wolfpack is definetly right u put liberty and silverado way ahead of delsol why???
look at what happend to silverado last year, and the year before that they havent proved that they can run the divison and liberty cmon they got demloished by delsol in the playoffs. delsols coaches will out scheme any team in there divison. Im a player at delsol everyone doubted us last year and it pissed us off now look what happend we made it to state. all im saying is stop haveing favorites ray and give del sol the right ranking they deserve.
also ray ask cimmaron, legacy, pine view "utah", cheyenne, payson "utah, and durango, who was the top team @ the dixie state camp im pretty sure theyll say delsol was.
btw we demolished legacy.
dude i hate del sol they really make me mad 3 ponts we lost all together that whole season last year to only one team how does that not make us a top ten team ray
del sol enters every season they enter with 30 some odd players and they continue to make it to championships. so to all these others teams i say this. to be the best you have to BEAT the best. so dont claim your the best until you prove it
Evan: The book is still out on Chey-town and Cimarron. Here's what I know: Cheyenne sophomore tailback Myloe Lewis is a star in the making. And, as usual, the Desert Shields will be athletic. The Northwest will be down this year, so they will definitely be in contention to return to the playoffs. ...As for Cimmarron, QB Gerard Martinez is a stud. However, an inexperienced offensive line will equal problems. Cimarron could be in for a long year.
jbravo - Del Sol is impressive every year. B_Real is exactly right with his assessment, they run out 30 players every year and continue to win, but you saying they were the best team in Dixie is laughable. They weren't even the best Vegas team in Dixie. Pine View was far and away the best team there and they will destroy Desert Pines in their opening game. Why do you think Vegas dropped them? Because they dominated Vegas every year.
I have no doubts you dominated Legacy up at camp - Legacy has some monster d-linemen and that is it. They have a very talented running back but no one in the trenches to block for him. Cimarron was the smallest Vegas team up at camp. Of all the Vegas teams, Silverado and Durango looked the best believe it or not. All the teams from the Northwest looked down.
I did watch Cheyenne go right down the teeth of your #1 defense and score twice in 8 plays. Cheyenne has some monsters in the trenches, and as Ray mentioned, a star in the making in Myloe Lewis (turned down Gorman) and also Tyler Spight at running back. Defense was Cheyenne's question mark at camp. Del Sol has to come to Chey-Town this year, should be a helluva game.
Thanks Ray!! and what do you think about Arbor View for this upcoming season?
Bucknutt, when we "delsol" played pine view at camp we always scored at least 1 or 2 more touchdowns then them, We out schemed them. no doubt there a good team. If u asked the pine view head coach and asked him what team could beat them that they played at camp im more then postive it would be Del Sol. But you know what when we run the our divison this year and make another repeat to state we will once again prove you doubters all wrong. DRAGONS !
WOW you need to go to a camp or somethin dude cuz palo verde is not #2 trust me cuz LVHS dominated them n SUU camp i admit they are ok but definetly not #2 LVHS shud have that spot cuz we scored on them our first play n they didnt even score on our defense there first drive n we scored multiple times on them n they only scored twice!! (so i think u needa change this Ray because the people that are upset n leave comments are the people that play or actualy go 2 the camps n see the teams)
N who the hell is liberty i didnt even knw they had a football team what have they done to get that spot who have they beat?? cuz im confused n i wna knw.I actualy thnk del sol is a pretty good team even tho i dnt like them n they beat us last season LVHS shud be #2 and DSHS shud be #3 n i stil dont knw why liberty was even mentioned on this list i think basic shud have ben on here instead of them
Bottom line top five teams are #1.Gorman #2.Vegas #3.Del sol #4.Palo verde #5.Legacy
Arbor View held their own against Vegas at Camp. and LVHS_WILDCATS, your top 5 sounds better!!
haha we WILL see Cheyenne. EVERYBODY stand up. 2010 football season is almost among us :)
LVHS_WILDCATS: LOL just because you did good at camp against these teams doesn't mean you'll do just as good against them in the season. Alot of things change over summer.. trust me
1.gorman
2.Palo
3.del sol
4.Basic
5.legacy
thats how it should go in all realness and i hate del sol and i put them in front of us but thats how that list should look so dont think im just saying basic is in the top 5 cuz i go there its cuz we lost to del sol twice in a combined 3 points that whole season and those are the only games we lost last year so that means we only were defeated by a total of 3 points aganist any team in the valley and i gurantee you that we are working harder then any team in the valley if you dont belive me come watch us from 8 to 10 every morning
All this love for Legacy. They have too much to replace to be a top 5 team.
People underestimate Liberty. Those boys are huge! They have some maulers on that team and you know this is a pound it down your throat town. Liberty will be tough this season.
Gorman
Vegas
Palo
Liberty
Del Sol (yes, bravo and b_real)
the list according to B_REAL
1. Gorman (its a given)
2. Palo Verde ( too many weapons on offense )
3. Del Sol ( solid run game, returning top qb)
4. Legacy ( good in the trenches , defense looks a little shaky this season )
5. Las Vegas High ( returning top qb,wr, and rb. look out for the triple threat this season )
6. Liberty ( big up front, physical intimidating team )
7. Basic ( they aren't returning many people but they're goin to be good every year )
8. Durango ( returning a game changer at rb, he alone could carry them to the playoffs )
9. Cheyenne ( dl should should be one of the best in the state )
10. this is a tie between Canyon Springs and Foothill
Canyon Spings returns alot of speed and athleticism, us football players know speed kils.
Foothill returns top rb and linebackers. They are still riding of the high of beating Las Vegas in the playoffs.
so what do you guys think about this list?
foothill deffaintly not bro cheyenne we destroyed them and that d line last year like 64-7 idk about them but yuhh never know but foothill i dont think so maybe top 20 teams they are on there but not top ten other than that that is the best list ive seen
my bad it was 39-7
Basic also got Cheyenne last year the same week their coach got fired. That same coach who put a huge dent in the program. Him and his staff had no clue what they were doing.
When the new coaches took over for the Basic game and the playoffs, the players didn't even know there keys on certain plays. That's how bad things were under the old coach. There's a new coach at Cheyenne now - one who worked with Charles Anthony - so they will be much improved this season. That Dline may not be one of the best in the state, but it will be big. Bubba Morsell weighs in around 350 and won the Palo bench press competition...he broke the record - he's a definite plugger at NG. They also have two other 3-year starters on the line.
but still after first quater we put in a whole bunch of sopomores and 3rd string kids but cheyenne is cool i like them but not top 10 teams
Faith Lutheran being ranked is a joke.
1. Gorman
2. Palo
(This is why the NIAA is so screwed up. These 2 will play in the Quarters or Semis, meaning that an inferior team will again bet smashed by Gorman. Instead of always playing SW vs NW & SE vs NE, why not cross it up a little?)
3. Las Vegas
4. Liberty
5. Legacy
6. Del Sol
7. Cimarron
8. Canyon Springs
9. Foothill
10. Durango
why are u guys ranking legacy so high???
we "delsol" played them at camp there overrated believe me. and las vegas should be behind delsol because delsol runs the southern part of las vegas now not vegas. O yeah baby its on! in 5 weeks we'll show everyone
Keep in mind who plays who. Canyon and Del Sol play non-league. Other than that game and the one at Las Vegas HS, Canyon plays the worst schedule in the state. The Southeast and the Northwest are tough leagues where the #4 can beat the #1. The Southwest, other than Gorman and Durango, is not far behind the NE. Remember: Sunrise Mountain (0-10), Chap (0-10), Eldo(1-9), Rancho(2-8), and Valley (3-8; but a playoff qualifier) are awful.
lvhs we beat you guys the first time we scrimmaged you in the 50 yd. scrimmage 2-1 and ur guys 1 td was on our second string defense... the final day you guys beat us 2-1 in the 10 yd. scrimmage.. i believe our fullback drug your whole defense for a td on the final day.. get your facts straight
a 10 yd. scrimmage proves NOTHING its only 10 yards no where near a real game
FB4LYF ranking foothill is joke you loser and cimmaron thats a joke why would you have them on there and not basic let me tell you guys we were one point away from state and we still get no recgonition and we beat foothill twice last year and we beat liberty liberty is not top ten top 15 yes foothill and cimmaron top 20 legacy is not that high
Del Sol is the number 1 school in the SE. then Basic, then Liberty. Silverado should not be up there. Just cause Randall Cunningham is coaching doesnt mean anything. That is no reason to be a top 10 school. And Liberty will be VERY tough this season...compared to prior seasons, but Del Sol has the best coaches in town, and Jeff Cahill at basic is a good coach too. Both those schools will out scheme liberty.
1. Gorman
2. Palo
3. Del Sol
4. Basic
5. Liberty
6. Las Vegas
7. Legacy
8. Durango
9. Cimmaron
10. Canyon Springs
wow you guys are sleeping on canyon springs and Del sol. Del sol is always going to be good no matter what its a tradition and a standard. then canyon springs in my opinion has the most talent in the valley.
but how can you say Las vegas hs is number two? or any where in the top 5. didnt they lose to foothill in round 1. i'd put foothill, basic, del sol, palo, gorman, legacy and liberty before Vegas. actually i'd say #5 for vegas.
and how in the world is Faith in the top 10???
1 Gorman(state champs)
2 Del sol (loss in state)
3 Palo (weapons and displine)
4 Basic (disipline)
5 Las vegas (they always get it done and work)
6 liberty (physical)
7 legacy (very talented)
8 canyon springs (Very talented)
9 cimmaron (no comment)
10 foothill or chey town?
I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy but there is a team your sleeping on. I know they were 2-8 last season. But with new recruits from their JV squad who more than proved themselves last season with only one loss by 1 point to Las Vegas. As a matter of fact the two games that were won by Rancho is when JV had buy weeks and sent guys to Varsity. Don't sleep on Rancho this year. You just might miss something good.
shadow ridge is going to be a sleeper this year guaranteed spot in the playoffs,they have a bunch of key transfers and have a team of returning seniors.basic is garbage and shadow smacked them in the mouth at camp they looked like a jv team
yurr an idiot yuhh guys only played the 3rd string and 2nd string kids shadow ridge yuhh guys are horriable yuhh guys shuld just stick to volleyball but hey next year at camp we will party again yeah hahahaha yuhh guys are garbage one win again aganist mojave
you can lie all you want on here. im not even going to say anything else you can see yourself this season just like you saw at camp
okay bro defend the ridge haha
ok first of all silverado should be at least on the top 3-4 foothill is a joke silverado beat them by 40 and we rolled durango delsol and legacy at camp so know something before you start typing...
but yall didnt make the playoffs and top 3 or 4 for yall thats a joke idk why yall are on the top ten and were not but yall gonna be prettty good this year
ok who ever keeps putting silverado down you are all haters if you where at camp this summer you already now whats coming. They rolled every team They played there 1st team d only allowed 2 tds at camp total. And last year they only allowed 14 points a game average so next time you want to put a team down go look up some facts...